Christian Meditation (pt.2)
So in my last post I wrote about the value of meditation. But for some of you, you feel left in the dark. You know what meditation is and that the Bible encourages it, and that it is valuable, but you have no clue how to do it or where to start. I hope this follow-up post helps.My favorite method starts with choosing a portion of Scripture with between a half dozen to a couple dozen verses. The number of verses will determine how many days it will take to study and fully assimilate the passage (10 verses will take 10 days). As an example, let’s go with Ephesians 4:17-32. You’ll need to set aside just fifteen minutes in the morning, and fifteen minutes again in the evening.Here’s what I do:1) First thing in the morning, read the entire passage out loud (Eph. 4:17-32).2) Write out the verse of the day on an index card, or type it into your smart phone (starting with v. 17).3) Commit that verse to short-term memory (meaning you can say it once without looking at it).4) Carry the verse with you and refer to it throughout the day (a dozen or so times).
It’s best to use a trigger as a reminder, such as getting up from your desk and/or sitting down, setting an alarm every hour, etc. Each time you refer to it, try to quote it again, and think about the meaning of a different word or portion, and/or an application in your life.5) At the end of the day, write the verse out again, this time by memory, and list the insight that you gained from contemplating on it through the day.6) Just before bed, read the entire passage out loud, again.You’ll find that once you get through the whole passage (15 days with Eph. 4:17-32), you will not only have it nearly memorized as a whole without trying, you’ll know inside and out the teaching in it, and you’ll have begun to apply those principles in your life like never before.I began doing this when I was in college, and return to it several times a year. It’s one of the most valuable practices in my life.Give it a try! And then let me know how it goes for you.